“There is strong evidence to support that minimally invasive, or laparoscopic, surgery for colorectal procedures such as colon cancer, is as effective in treating the disease as traditional open surgery—and there are added benefits to the patient, such as decreased recovery time,” said Michael J. Stamos, MD, FACS, FASCRS, Professor and Chair in the Department of Surgery at the University of California, Irvine and one of the presenters at ASCRS. “Despite this evidence, less than half of colorectal procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques, and it is essential that surgeons are trained in techniques, and patients and health systems are aware of the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.”

“The role of surgery in treating colorectal diseases is evolving rapidly with new technologies and greater focus on how to measure successful outcomes,” said Chuck Austin, Worldwide President, EES. “EES’s approach to collaborating with surgeons and the colorectal disease community around both open and minimally invasive procedures is built upon four key pillars: professional education, product innovation, health care policy solutions, and patient awareness and advocacy programs. We are committed to providing solutions that go beyond devices to advance minimally invasive and open surgery, and we take great pride in partnering with the medical and advocacy communities to ensure that patients have access to the best possible surgical care for colorectal illnesses.”

In response to the growing need for personalization and technology in medicine, EES is launching the “Learning Journey,” next quarter, a new professional education program, available through a dedicated Web site. This program was developed to evolve the traditional face-to-face training approach into a multi-step, multi-function offering that allows surgeons, residents and nurses to learn at their own pace.

The Right Solutions to Enable Superior Outcomes in Colorectal Procedures

EES provides a full suite of solutions designed to minimize the impact surgical procedures have on living tissue, improve patient outcomes and advance healing. Among the product innovations being featured at ASCRS:

Access Solutions – ENDOPATH® XCEL™ with OPTIVIEW® Technology (5mm) trocar is designed to mitigate smudging of the endoscopic or laparoscopic camera lens during surgical procedures.

Stapling Excellence Solutions – ECHELON FLEX™ ENDOPATH® Stapler (45/60mm), the naturally articulating mechanical endocutter offers enhanced system-wide compression, which is key in achieving a uniform, hemostatic staple line, and has been proven to deliver superior staple formation, even in thick tissue[1]; and coming soon is the ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler, a new powered endocutter . The Ethicon Endo-Surgery LINEAR CUTTER is the only linear cutter with an innovative 6-row, 3-D surgical staple technology, delivering optimal compression and superior hemostasis[2]; the Ethicon Endo-Surgery INTRALUMINAL STAPLER is an adjustable height stapler that allows surgeons to control the amount of compression applied to the tissue depending on the clinical situation; the CONTOUR® Curved Cutter Stapler combines stapling and cutting into one device, delivering four rows of staples with a single cut between, eliminating the need for a bowel clamp and scalpel.

Patient Advocacy Efforts to Reinforce Importance of Early Screening and Treatment

EES partners with the ASCRS, the Colon Cancer Alliance and CBS HealthWatch™, to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of early screening and treatment. This year’s campaign kicked off with an EES-sponsored, live CBS HealthWatch™ Webcast, introduced by Katie Couric, in which a panel of surgeon experts answered questions live from patients, caregivers and surgeons. This campaign also will raise awareness of colorectal cancer through a series of public service announcements (PSAs) airing in eight cities across the U.S. through the end of May.

Educating Employers and Health Plans

EES also collaborates with health plans and employers to drive the adoption of minimally invasive procedures in support of better patient outcomes. In addition to the benefits of minimally invasive procedures for patients, EES has data to support the benefit to health plan providers and employers offering minimally invasive procedures to their members and employees. Potential benefits include shorter hospital stays and faster recovery time. EES also creates tools for employers to share with their employees to educate them about different diseases and conditions (including colorectal) and their treatment options.

About Ethicon Endo-Surgery Colorectal Solutions

EES supports the advancement of colorectal surgery through its training of surgeons, development of products designed for both open and minimally invasive procedures, support of health plan and employers, and patient education campaigns. Surgeons, residents and nurses wanting to know more about professional education programs can visit EES’s booth at ASCRS (#103). For more information about EES’s payor tools, please visit http://www.ethiconendosurgery.com/payor/healthcarepolicy/overview. For more information, or to view the CBS HealthWatch PSAs, please visit www.smarterpatient.com/coloncancer, the patient education section on colon cancer on EES’s Web site.

About Ethicon Endo-Surgery

EES develops and markets advanced medical devices for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, focusing on procedure-enabling devices for the interventional diagnosis and treatment of conditions in general and bariatric surgery, as well as gastrointestinal health, gynecology and surgical oncology.For more information, visit www.ethiconendosurgery.com.

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Contact:Michelle Parker

513-448-8527

mparker5@its.jnj.com

[1] Superior is defined as fewest malformed staples. Thick tissue defined as 3mm to 5mm as measured with an 8g/mm2 thickness measuring device. Study conducted by Ethicon Endo-Surgery in a porcine model. Data on file. ECHELON FLEX™ 60mm with Green Cartridge (88 staples per cartridge) vs. ENDO GIA® Universal with 60mm Green Roticulator™ (90 staples per cartridge) (not compared with EGIA60AMT/EGIA60AXT). Please read and follow the Instructions for Use for important information, including indications, contraindications and complete steps for use.